Penshurst Place, situated in 32 miles (51 km) south east of London, is a medieval house completed in 1341. It was owned by Henry VIII as his hunting lodge, and has been the home of the Sidney family since 1552 and was the birthplace of the 16th century Elizabethan poet Sir Philip Sidney. The manor house is one of the the most complete example of 14th century architecture in England. The house is built of local sandstone and its rich brown streaks are enhanced by the use of different sized blocks to give a randomly mottled effect. The photo above is the great hall, which has been described as one of the world’s grandest rooms.

The garden, with one of the oldest private ownership, is a fine example of Elizabethan design, and much of the garden remains as it was in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. It has over a mile of yew hedges, 3,000 roses, and 1,000-year old “Sidney’s Oak” – one of the 50 Great British Trees in the country and reputed to have been planted at the christening of Sir Philip Sidney in 1554.

The Toy museum, created out of an old carpenters’ workshop and is part of a range of ‘Gothic’ stables of 1836, is small, but its antique toys collection from all over the world are worth to visit as well. After strolling around the estate, enjoy a cup of tea at the Garden Tea Room, overlooking the manor house.